TERRE HAUTE, Ind – A 16-year veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department was killed in the line of duty over the weekend.
Friday afternoon police were sent to a home at 65 South 18th Street on a tip that a person had been killed in the home.
Officers found 26-year-old Robert Olson dead in the basement.
The suspect in the homicide had already left the residence, changed cars and was spotted by police on US 41 with a female passenger later identified as 18-year-old Lakrista Julian.
The suspect and Julian drove to Julian’s apartment in the Garden Quarter Complex
When officers arrived, the suspect opened fire on officers who returned fire.
Officer Robert Pitts was killed by a single gunshot to the head. He was 45 years old and had served 16 years with the Terre Haute Police Department and six years with the Sullivan Police Department before that.
Eventually Julian exited the apartment and was arrested. She faces charges of obstruction of justice and will make her first court appearance Monday (5/7/18).
Special Response Team officers later entered the apartment and found the suspect dead.
That suspect has not yet been identified. An autopsy will be performed Monday (5/7/18) and an identity is expected to be released when that is completed.
Terre Haute Police are continuing their investigation into the homicide on 18th Street.
Indiana State Police are conducting the investigation into the killing of Officer Pitts.
Funeral arrangements for Officer Pitts have been announced.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 8th, 2018.
Family and friends viewing will be 11a-2p and the public viewing will be 2p-7p.
The funeral will be Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 starting at 11a.m.
All events will take place at ISU’s Hulman Center.
The funeral procession will depart Hulman Center and proceed to Center Ridge Cemetery in Sullivan, where Officer Pitts will be laid to rest.
Memorial contributions can be made at any Fifth-Third Bank location to the “Officer Rob Pitts Memorial Fund.”
Online condolences may be left at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.